In The News

Singer Noel Harrison passes away

Singer Noel Harrison passes away

THE singer Noel Harrison has passed away at the age of 79.

He will be best remembered for his recording of The Windmills Of Your Mind (see below) which featured in the 1968 movie The Thomas Crown Affair. The song, which was written by Michel LeGrand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, won Best Song at the 1968 Oscars.

Mr. Harrison once said that when he recorded the song “It didn’t seem like a big deal” but he later conceded “it turned out to be my most notable piece of work”.

He was the son of film star Rex Harrison and Collette Thomas, who was the first of the actor’s six wives. After the marriage broke up, Noel Harrison was brought up in Devon before moving with his mother to the Switzerland when he was 15. He became a top skier and was British Champion in 1953.

After moving to the United States, Mr. Harrison combined singing with working as an actor — he starred in the TV series The Girl From UNCLE.

His recording successes included Suzanne, A Young Girl and Baby Blue (see below). During his career he appeared twice at the Glastonbury Festival — in 1971 and in 2011 on the Spirit of ’71 stage.

Mr. Harrison passed away at his home in Devon where he had lived for many years since returning from the United States.

To see footage of Mr. Harrison performing The Windmills Of Your Mind, click here.

To see Mr. Harrison singing Baby Blue, click here.

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